AC Milan's European ban overturned by CAS

AC Milan have been reinstated into the Europa League next season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned UEFA's decision to exclude them for infringing financial fair play (FFP) rules.

CAS' annulment of the ban did not officially act as a reinstatement to the competition, because they confirmed Milan's failure with respect to the break-even regulations and urged UEFA to hand down a "proportionate disciplinary measure".

However, the club immediately appealed the decision on the grounds of an unfair punishment, which has since been overturned by CAS.

The Serie A club were banned by UEFA last month after an investigation into their handling of the body's Financial Fair Play rules.

"The panel chose to refer the case back to the adjudicatory chamber of the UEFA CFCB because the club had requested that the case be referred back to UEFA and because it considers that the adjudicatory chamber is in a better position than the CAS panel to issue a new proportionate disciplinary measure on the basis of the current financial situation of the club".

The club will now be able to compete in the Europa League next season, and might now hold old onto captain Leonardo Bonucci.

And UEFA have confirmed that Milan will now be reinstated for the upcoming season.

"As is permitted, AC Milan appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who confirmed the chamber's view that there had been a breach of the regulations".

The Chinese businessman defaulted on a loan payment days after the decision to exclude Milan from the Europa League, leading to Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited taking full control.

"However, the CAS noted that there were some important elements that could not properly be assessed by the Adjudicatory Chamber - most significantly the improvement of the Club's financial situation as a result of the recent change of ownership".